World Cup 2026: Mexico returns gift of Rolex watches from online content creator to avoid violating FIFA rules
Mexico's World Cup team has returned Rolex watches given to players by American online content creator "Stevewilldoit," The Athletic's Leon Imber reports.
The collection of watches was gifted to the team following El Tri's 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the Round of 32. The watches were worth $1 million in total, according to Stevewilldoit, whose real name is Stephen Deleonardis. In a video on his YouTube channel, Deleonardis said the watches ranged from $30,000 to $90,000 in value.
In a statement posted to its official social media account, the Mexico national team said that the decision was reached "by mutual agreement" between the players and Deleonardis, who rewarded the players with the watches "on his own initiative."
Mexico has won its four matches in the 2026 World Cup thus far without allowing a goal, defeating South Africa 2-0, South Korea 1-0, Czechia 3-0 and Ecuador by a 2-0 score.
Deleonardis told Mexico midfielder Obed Vargas that he rewarded the team with the Rolex watches prior to the match with Ecuador, presumably as motivation to win. An El Tri victory would yield $1 million for Deleonardis on a wager (betting $2 million).
On a video posted to Instagram, the Mexico players can be seen tossing Deleonardis in the air after learning of the gift, resembling their post-match celebration.
However, FIFA rules prohibit accepting gifts from supporters that do not have "symbolic or tribal value." The restrictions are intended to prevent "influencing" that might manipulate a match result, compelling players to do something like breaking rules or creating a conflict as obligation.
Violating such rules — laid out in Article 21 of the organization's Code of Ethics — can result in a fine of at least $12,500 in U.S. dollars (or 10,000 in Swiss franc) and a ban from "taking part in any football-related activity for a maximum of two years."
Deleonardis, who told the El Tri players that he lives in Mexico, has gained notoriety online with videos of extreme drinking challenges and outrageous pranks, gaining him an online following of 1.53 million YouTube subscribers and 3.7 million followers on Instagram.
